šĀ The Duke Blue Devils, ranked 6th in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, are set to tip off their highly anticipated season against the unranked but tough Texas Longhorns in the Dike Vitale Invitational. The clash takes place at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte and is expected to be one of the premier matchups of the season’s opening slate, testing Duke’s Final Four aspirations early on.
Key Injury Return Confirmed
Duke has received excellent news concerning a vital piece of their defensive structure. According to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, junior forward Maliq Brown is expected to play and will be available for tonightās season opener, having recovered from a knee injury.
The official release confirming Brown’s availability provides a significant lift for Head Coach Jon Scheyer’s squad as they face the challenging Longhorns.
Brownās Defensive Impact
Maliq Brown’s return is particularly impactful on the defensive end of the court, where his versatility and disruptive nature shine. He is a proven defensive star for the Blue Devils, and his presence makes life significantly harder for opposing offenses.
Last season, Brown averaged 1.3 steals per game for Duke. His defensive metrics were even more impressive during his time at Syracuse the season before, where he posted averages of 2.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. His quick hands, court awareness, and shot-altering ability will be crucial in limiting the Longhornsā offensive opportunities and disrupting their rhythm. Having him on the floor ensures Texas players will find it difficult to get open looks, potentially swinging the momentum of the game in Duke’s favor.
The Scheyer Era’s Tough Road
Though Texas is unranked, they proved to be a solid squad within the SEC last season, capable of pulling off major victories. A win tonight for the Longhorns would undoubtedly register as a major upset across the NCAA landscape.
Head Coach Jon Scheyer has never shied away from challenging competition, and this game is a perfect indicator of the tough schedule Duke plans to navigate this season. With Maliq Brown back in the fold, the Blue Devils are better equipped to face that challenge and immediately solidify their status as a national title contender.